Wheeling Health Rights Seeks Funds: A Critical Call for Dental Care Expansion
An urgent call echoes in Ohio County as Wheeling Health Right endeavors to secure essential funds for its dental programs.
The Shift in Funding Focus
Wheeling Health Right, known for its unwavering commitment to providing free health care, is on a mission to reallocate funds initially dedicated to their mobile health unit. The clinic, facing a changed economic landscape, is redirecting its focus toward dental services—a vital step in holistic patient care. Last December, a substantial grant of $36,552 was secured from the Ohio County Commission for expanding mobile unit services. However, with new grant funding available for the mobile unit, Health Right aims to shift these funds toward enhancing dental care.
The Rise of Dental Services
Under the guidance of Anne Ricci, the new executive director, the focus emphasizes preventive health care through dental services. The integration of medical and dental care can significantly lower long-term health costs and prevent severe health issues. According to Ricci, this direction is not merely about oral health but overall well-being—ensuring that those with no other recourse receive comprehensive care.
Real Cases, Real Impact
Ricci narrates a harrowing yet transformative story of a patient initially seeking relief from tooth pain. Thanks to the vigilant eyes of Health Right’s dental team, the patient was referred for further examination, revealing severe conditions like COPD and liver cirrhosis. This referral facilitated life-saving intervention and a path to a much-needed liver transplant.
The Community’s Role and the Commissioners’ Consideration
As Health Right treats around 130 dental patients locally, with many requiring multiple visits, the clinic’s need for financial support grows pressing. The commissioners, who previously backed the mobile unit’s community-driven mission, now ponder extending that support to dental endeavors. Ricci highlights collaboration with West Virginia University dental students as part of the initiative to continue serving within communities actively.
A Decision That Impacts Lives
The decision, to be made by the commissioners on December 2nd, holds the key to not just funding but potentially altering lives. The reallocated funds would aid in acquiring necessary dental clinic equipment and subsidizing patient denture costs—a cost still prohibitive even with increased Medicaid coverage.
Building Community Bridges
Support from the Ohio County Commission transcends monetary aid; it bolsters credibility and opens gateways to further financial opportunities, nurturing community bonds.
As Wheeling Health Right stands at this crucial juncture, its plea for funds isn’t just an administrative shift but a heartfelt call to touch lives through better health.
As stated in theintelligencer.net.